5G and next generation 6G networks are introducing architectural transformations from an inflexible and monolithic system to a flexible, agile and disaggregated architecture to support service heterogeneity, coordination among multiple technologies and, rapid on-demand service deployments. Such transformations are enabled by the emerging open radio access network (O-RAN) framework which provides virtualization, intelligence, and flexibility while defining open interfaces for network innovation [1]}. The O-RAN based 5G and future 6G networks will incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into the deployment, operation, and maintenance of the network [2]}. The O-RAN architecture is expecting to offer a new dawn of services and applications for cellular networks, such as virtual network slices and dynamic spectrum sharing.
